Joe Springer

Biography:
Phone: 859-323-1440 (University of Kentucky) 859-257-4888 (PM&R at Cardinal Hill) Fax: (859) 257-9372 BACKGROUND Ph.D., State University of New York at Binghamton (1984); Postdoctoral training at University of Rochester Medical School (1984-1988); Vice Chair of Research and Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Cardinal Hill Endowed Chair in Neurorehabilitation RESEARCH Mitochondrial Function and Cell Death in Traumatic Spinal Cord and Brain Injury It has been well documented that widespread neuronal and glial cell death occurs following traumatic spinal cord and brain injury. In addition, important advances have been made in understanding the intracellular pathways controlling cell death after injury. The goal of our research is to limit neuronal and glial cell loss and the resulting neurological deficits by blocking steps occurring early in the cell death process. Recently, we have focused our efforts on identifying the mitochondrial events responsible for regulating cell survival and death. We are particularly interested in identifying therapeutic agents/strategies that limit mitochondrial dysfunction as a means of promoting cell survival. Our research program works closely with various Departments and Centers at the University of Kentucky and the Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital to ensure that highly promising lab bench discoveries reach the clinic.
Selected Publications
Wang WX, Visavadiya NP, Pandya JD, Nelson PT, Sullivan PG, Springer JE. Mitochondria-associated microRNAs in rat hippocampus following traumatic brain injury. Exp Neurol. 2015 Mar;265:84-93. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.12.018. Epub 2015 Jan 3. PubMed PMID: 25562527; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4346439. Chen A, Sun S, Ravikumar R, Visavadiya NP, Springer JE. Differential proteomic analysis of acute contusive spinal cord injury in rats using iTRAQ reagent labeling and LC-MS/MS. Neurochem Res. 2013 Nov;38(11):2247-55. doi: 10.1007/s11064-013-1132-y. Epub 2013 Aug 21. PubMed PMID: 23963509. Shin JH, Lee YA, Lee JK, Lee YB, Cho W, Im DS, Lee JH, Yun BS, Springer JE, Gwag BJ. Concurrent blockade of free radical and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1-mediated PGE2 production improves safety and efficacy in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurochem. 2012 Sep;122(5):952-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2012.07771.x. Epub 2012 May 23. PubMed PMID: 22537108. Readnower RD, Pandya JD, McEwen ML, Pauly JR, Springer JE, Sullivan PG. Post-injury administration of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore inhibitor, NIM811, is neuroprotective and improves cognition after traumatic brain injury in rats. J Neurotrauma. 2011 Sep;28(9):1845-53. doi: 10.1089/neu.2011.1755. Epub 2011 Aug 29. PubMed PMID: 21875332; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3172877. Rabchevsky AG, Patel SP, Springer JE. Pharmacological interventions for spinal cord injury: where do we stand? How might we step forward? Pharmacol Ther. 2011 Oct;132(1):15-29. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.05.001. Epub 2011 May 14. Review. PubMed PMID: 21605594. McEwen ML, Sullivan PG, Rabchevsky AG, Springer JE. Targeting mitochondrial function for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury. Neurotherapeutics. 2011 Apr;8(2):168-79. doi: 10.1007/s13311-011-0031-7. Review. PubMed PMID: 21360236; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3101832. Chen A, McEwen ML, Sun S, Ravikumar R, Springer JE. Proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses of the soluble fraction following acute spinal cord contusion in rats. J Neurotrauma. 2010 Jan;27(1):263-74. doi: 10.1089/neu.2009.1051. PubMed PMID: 19691422; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2864456. Mbye LH, Singh IN, Sullivan PG, Springer JE, Hall ED. Attenuation of acute mitochondrial dysfunction after traumatic brain injury in mice by NIM811, a non-immunosuppressive cyclosporin A analog. Exp Neurol. 2008 Jan;209(1):243-53. Epub 2007 Oct 5. PubMed PMID: 18022160. Ravikumar R, McEwen ML, Springer JE. Post-treatment with the cyclosporin derivative, NIM811, reduced indices of cell death and increased the volume of spared tissue in the acute period following spinal cord contusion. J Neurotrauma. 2007 Oct;24(10):1618-30. PubMed PMID: 17970625. McEwen ML, Sullivan PG, Springer JE. Pretreatment with the cyclosporin derivative, NIM811, improves the function of synaptic mitochondria following spinal cord contusion in rats. J Neurotrauma. 2007 Apr;24(4):613-24. PubMed PMID: 17439345. McEwen ML, Springer JE. A mapping study of caspase-3 activation following acute spinal cord contusion in rats. J Histochem Cytochem. 2005 Jul;53(7):809-19. PubMed PMID: 15995139.